As voting season approaches, students may be unsure of how to navigate the process of electing officials who represent them. 

First, in order to register to vote, an individual may go to the Whitman County Elections Office in Colfax or register online. 

Ballots are mailed 18 days before Election Day, meaning that ballots will arrive Oct. 17. 

For those looking to vote online or via mail, they must register by Oct. 27. Those who want to vote in person must register before 8 a.m. on Nov. 4. 

Voters who are eligible can vote anytime from receiving their ballots to Election Day. 

On campus, people can vote outside the west entrance to the Compton Union Building by utilizing the ballot deposit box. There are also a variety of other places around Whitman County where you can drop off your ballot. 

On a ballot, the residential address is what determines which candidates will be on your ballot. For students living in a dormitory on campus, the dorm building and your room number is required.

The mailing address is where the ballot gets mailed. This is where an individual can put their PO box. The mailing address does not need to align with the residential address, and people can receive the ballot at any place in the world.

Voting in two separate places is a felony, meaning you can only vote in one county in one state. If you are out of state but have established residency in Washington, you can still vote. However, in this case, voting for a county for the former state is not allowed. 

On Election Day, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., ballot boxes, replacement ballots and accessible voting equipment will be available at the second floor Senior Ballroom in the CUB.

18 days prior to Election Day, people can utilize accessible voting equipment at the Whitman County Elections Office.